President calls for stronger economic, cultural ties with China

ISLAMABAD: Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Luo Zhaohui, along with his delegation and High Commissioner of Australia to Pakistan Neil Hawkins called on President Zardari at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday separately.

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for stronger economic and cultural ties with China and said that Pakistan and China enjoy long-term strategic relations, which need to be further strengthened in the areas of trade, economy, agriculture, people-to-people contacts and culture.

He underlined the need for both countries to continue to work together to take bilateral relations to new heights. President Zardari expressed these views while talking to the visiting Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Luo Zhaohui.

The Ambassador of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr Jahanzeb Khan, and senior officials of the Chinese and Pakistani governments attended the meeting.

While reiterating Pakistan’s firm commitment to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), President Zardari said that Pakistan considered CPEC of immense strategic importance and was fully committed to the timely completion of all CPEC projects.

Highlighting the importance of Gwadar Port, he said that Gwadar Port would not only promote regional connectivity but would also make the transport of goods to China cost-effective.

He also suggested to undertake joint training projects to equip human resources with skills keeping in view the Chinese demand for skilled workforce.

Luo Zhaohui briefed President Zardari about CIDCA’s role in Pakistan’s socio-economic development as well as its contributions in the health and education sectors.

He also underlined the need to promote tourism and agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

The president expressed grief over the unfortunate terrorist attack on Chinese workers in Bisham, saying that Pakistan would make all-out efforts to provide a safe environment for the Chinese workers and investors in Pakistan.

The CIDCA chairman said that the enemies of the two countries wanted to harm bilateral relations but they would never succeed in their designs.

President Zardari thanked the government of China for its support to Pakistan and for playing a vital role in Pakistan’s economic development. He also appreciated CIDCA’s contributions to the rehabilitation of flood-affected people and reconstruction of schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, besides constructing housing units for Lady Health Workers in Sindh and Balochistan.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said that Pakistan and Australia enjoyed durable relationship and urged the Australian companies to invest in different sectors of Pakistan including agriculture, agricultural equipment and other tools.

The president expressed these views during a meeting with High Commissioner of Australia to Pakistan Neil Hawkins who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

According to announcement of President House on Wednesday, President Zardari also expressed his satisfaction over the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in mining and mineral sectors.

The Australian High Commissioner apprised the president of the existing level of bilateral ties between the two countries, adding both countries were cooperating in education, defence and agriculture sectors.